Nine people died in road accidents over Easter weekend in Eastern Cape

Apr 25, 2019

Port Elizabeth - According to the Department of Transport only nine people lost their lives over the 2019 Easter weekend in the Eastern Cape - the highest number of Easter road deaths, 27, was recorded in Limpopo.

Minister of Transport, Dr. Blade Bonginkosi Nzimande, on Wednesday thanked the commitment and cooperation by road users, who heeded to government’s call to obey the rules of the road during the Easter weekend.

“I wish to applaud these patriotic compatriots for putting the interests of the country first by obeying the rules of the road and by following the guidance of our Law Enforcement Officers,” said Minister Nzimande.

Nzimande said that from 18 - 21 April 2019, there were eighty (80) crashes where deathsoccurred, which indicates a decrease of 40%, as compared with the same period in 2018.

"Indeed, we still would not like to see even a single soul being lost on our roads.

“A high decrease on absolute figures has been recorded for KwaZulu Natal with thirteen (13) fatal crashes, followed by Gauteng with eleven (11) fatal crashes,” confirmed Minister Nzimande.

Nzimande added that “There were 104 fatalities recorded since the 18-21 April 2019, with a decrease of 41% from the previous Easter period. A high decrease on the absolute figures has been recorded for KwaZulu-Natal with twenty-six (26), followed by Gauteng with twelve (12) fatalities”.

He said, “The above shows that with determination, observance of the basic rules of road safety, and co-operation between government and road users, we can indeed defeat the scourge of road crashes”.

Easter road deaths 2019 by province

As from 18 to 21 April, provinces recorded the following fatalities; Gauteng (12), KwaZulu Natal (21), Western Cape (9), Eastern Cape (9), Free State (2), Mpumalanga (14), Limpopo (27), North West (8), and Northern Cape (2).

Nzimande further sent his gratitude to all the MECs of Transport, Security and Liaison, MEC’s of Health, Mayors and all Road Safety Ambassadors, including Faith Based Organisations and Business, who partnered and cooperated with the Department of Transport and its entities during this Easter period.

Nzimande appealed to all road users to further cooperate with law enforcement authorities and emergency service personnel who will remain deployed in all known hazardous locations throughout the country as South Africa heads to the Freedom Day and the Workers Day celebrations.

“On behalf of the Government of South Africa, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives on our roads and wish all those recuperating in hospitals and at home a speedy recovery.

"I have directed the Road Accident Fund to provide the families of the deceased and the injured with the necessary support and care during this difficult time,” said Nzimande.

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